In this solo episode of Oleh at Large: Aliyah Stories, David Levine shares a personal update from his own Aliyah journey — from life in Yafo to finally getting the keys to his new apartment in Sarona.

After two years in Israel, several temporary apartments, and six months living in Yafo, David reflects on what he has loved about the neighborhood: the Old City, the flea market, the beach, the dog beach, the synagogue community at Zikhron Baruch, and the everyday rituals that made Yafo feel like home.

But the next chapter is beginning.

David has finally become a homeowner in Israel. His new apartment in Sarona — in the center of Tel Aviv, across from the Kirya and near Sarona Market — is ready for renovation after years of delays, bureaucracy, and waiting for the building’s occupancy approval.

The episode then turns into one of the most practical Aliyah stories yet: how David navigated the Israeli mortgage system, compared offers from Bank Leumi and Mizrahi-Tefahot, translated documents, negotiated terms, and ultimately saved himself 20,000 shekels by using ChatGPT to help understand and manage the process.

It is a story about bureaucracy, Hebrew WhatsApp groups, Israeli banking, renovation plans, storage units, London trips, family simchas, and the strange feeling of finally becoming a property owner in the Land of Israel.

A funny, practical, and honest update on what Aliyah looks like after the first big emotional leap — when the next challenge is building an actual life, one Hebrew document and one WhatsApp group at a time.

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Entrepreneur and new olah Maayan Gordon joins David Levine to share why she and her family left the comfort of American life and made Aliyah during a war.

From motherhood and business to community and purpose, this is a story about finding home and building a life in Israel—one messy step at a time.

After years of building businesses in the United States, Maayan never imagined she would one day leave the comfort and convenience of American life behind. But after October 7th, a long-awaited trip to Israel changed something deep inside her. For the first time, she experienced a sense of belonging and connection that made her realize Israel wasn't simply a place she loved—it was home.

In this episode, Maayan shares the emotional journey that led her family to make Aliyah, including convincing her non-Jewish husband to take the leap, welcoming a daughter, and ultimately arriving in Israel during the middle of a war.

She reflects on raising children in Israel, building community, entrepreneurship in Startup Nation, the realities of Israeli life, and why she believes that even amid the messiness of Aliyah, they are living the best life they could be living.

This is a conversation about identity, family, purpose, and finding home.

Follow Maayan:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maayangordonmedia/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maayangordonmedia

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maayangordon/

Website: https://www.maayangordon.com/

🎙️ Oleh at Large: Aliyah Stories

Real Stories. Real Advice. Real Aliyah.

Hosted by David Levine

Credits

Editing: Laura Brickman

Associate Producer: Daniella Edelman

Social Media: Tehila Simantov

#Aliyah #Israel #Motherhood #Entrepreneurship #StartupNation

Writer Shlomo Kates joins David Levine to discuss his Aliyah journey, life in Tel Aviv, volunteering for IDF service later in life, and why he believes Israel is the only place where he can fully embrace all parts of his identity. Shlomo shares his views on the future of Canadian Jewry and how LGBTQ Jews fare in Israel.

This is a conversation about belonging, resilience, and finding home.

Links Mentioned
Times of Israel @https://www.timesofisrael.com/
Havruta @https://havruta.org.il/en/
LGBT Olim @https://www.lgbtolim.org/

🎙️ Oleh at Large: Aliyah Stories
Real Stories. Real Advice. Real Aliyah.
Hosted by David Levine

Credits
Filmed on location at Soho House Tel Aviv
Editing: Laura Brickman
Associate Producer: Daniella Edelman
Social Media: Tehila Simantov

#Israel #JewishLife #LGBTQ #IDF #Toronto #TelAviv #canada